US7338320B2 - Sealing member for watertight connector and a molding method therefor - Google Patents

Sealing member for watertight connector and a molding method therefor Download PDF

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Publication number
US7338320B2
US7338320B2 US11/096,100 US9610005A US7338320B2 US 7338320 B2 US7338320 B2 US 7338320B2 US 9610005 A US9610005 A US 9610005A US 7338320 B2 US7338320 B2 US 7338320B2
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Prior art keywords
seal
cross
sectionally
cavity
recess
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US11/096,100
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US20050179209A1 (en
Inventor
Yutaka Kobayashi
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Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd
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Assigned to SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. reassignment SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: KOBAYASHI, YUTAKA
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/521—Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J13/00—Covers or similar closure members for pressure vessels in general
    • F16J13/02—Detachable closure members; Means for tightening closures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/02—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces
    • F16J15/021—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing
    • F16J15/022—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material
    • F16J15/024—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material the packing being locally weakened in order to increase elasticity
    • F16J15/025—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with elastic packing characterised by structure or material the packing being locally weakened in order to increase elasticity and with at least one flexible lip
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16J—PISTONS; CYLINDERS; SEALINGS
    • F16J15/00—Sealings
    • F16J15/02—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces
    • F16J15/06—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces
    • F16J15/062—Sealings between relatively-stationary surfaces with solid packing compressed between sealing surfaces characterised by the geometry of the seat
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts
    • H01R13/443—Dummy plugs
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/52—Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
    • H01R13/5219—Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a seal for use in a watertight connector and a molding method therefor.
  • a watertight connector has a housing with a plurality of cavities. Terminal fittings and rubber plugs are secured to ends of wires and are accommodated in the respective cavities. Each rubber plug is dimensioned to seal the cavity when the terminal fitting is accommodated in the cavity formed in a housing. Some cavities may not require a terminal fitting. In these situations, dummy rubber plugs are prepared separately and are fit into the unused cavities.
  • the outer circumferential surface of the typical dummy plug has three annular lips defining a wavy cross section in view an inserting force into the cavity, a holding force in the cavity and mold removal at the time of molding.
  • a sealed space between male and female connectors with dummy plugs may be compressed during connection the two connectors. Additionally, internal pressure may increase as air in the sealed space thermally expands during the use. Thus, there is a possibility that the dummy plugs will come out of the cavities against the holding forces. Accordingly, Japanese Patent Publication No. 3180026 discloses embedding auxiliary springs in the dummy plugs for assisting deformation of the dummy plugs to increase their diameters and to enhance the holding forces.
  • an object of the invention is to provide an improved seal.
  • the invention relates to a seal made of a resilient material and used to hermetically seal a recess in a housing of a watertight connector by inserting the seal into the recess.
  • the seal has a main body with a single lip that has a wide outer surface configured for close surface contact with the inner surface of the recess.
  • a sealing force is proportional to a resiliently compressed volume of an outer part of the lip.
  • the seal of the subject invention has only one wide lip.
  • a resiliently compressed volume is large as compared to conventional seals with a plurality of lips because the subject seal has no recess between the lips. Accordingly, a larger sealing force can be obtained.
  • the single lip on the outer surface of the seal preferably is configured so that a plane tangent to the outer surface of the seal will be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the seal.
  • the seal does not have a plurality of discrete lips with projecting ends that can successively contact the opening edge of the recess as the seal is inserted into the recess. Accordingly, the seal can be inserted smoothly and the lip will not be damaged or torn, and insertion forces are low.
  • the outer surface of the lip preferably has at least one portion that is inclined with respect to an inserting direction into the recess.
  • the incline preferably is less than about 30°, more preferably less than about 20°, most preferably about 15° to the longitudinal direction.
  • the inclined surface guides the seal into a centered position, and the wide outer surface of the single lip portion is compressed substantially uniformly over the entire periphery.
  • the outer surface of the lip of the properly inserted seal is held uniformly in close contact with the entire inner surface of the recess to seal the recess effectively.
  • the seal may be a dummy plug used to hermetically seal a cavity in the housing and preferably a cavity that has no terminal fitting accommodated therein.
  • the dummy plug is less easily withdrawn, has a larger holding force and a larger sealing force.
  • the seal may be a waterproof resilient plug secured to an end of a wire by a terminal fitting and used to seal an entrance of a cavity in a housing as the terminal fitting is inserted into the cavity.
  • the waterproof plug has a large sealing force and a small inserting force.
  • the seal may be a packing to provide hermetic sealing between two housings that are connected by engaging a projecting part and a recessed part.
  • the seal may be mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the projecting part and may be squeezed resiliently between the outer peripheral surface of the projecting part and the inner peripheral surface of the mating recessed part.
  • the outer surface of the lip may include an undulated surface with projections and recesses that alternately repeat along the longitudinal direction.
  • a projecting distance of the undulations is smaller than the longitudinal extension of the lip.
  • the parting lines preferably are set at or near recesses of the outer surface of the seal.
  • the undulated surface enables the parting lines to be set easily using the recesses, including intermediate portions between the projections and recesses.
  • the undulated surface forms an undercut upon removing the seal from a molding hole.
  • the undulation has a low height and will not be damaged even if the seal is removed with the undercut formed.
  • the lip preferably is formed symmetrically and has front and rear ends that are inclined more moderately.
  • a dummy plug in accordance with the invention can be inserted smoothly with a smaller insertion force and can be guided and centered by the inclination regardless of whether the front or rear of the dummy plug is inserted first into the cavity.
  • a packing in accordance with the invention can be inserted smoothly into the mating recess with a low inserting force and can be guided and centered by the inclination regardless of whether the front or rear of the packing is mounted first on the outer surface of the projecting part.
  • the lip preferably extends over more than about half, preferably over more than about 2 ⁇ 3 of the longitudinal extension of the seal.
  • the seal is rotationally symmetric about an axis.
  • the invention also relates to a method of molding a seal made of a resilient material.
  • the method comprises providing a mold to form a seal with a single lip that has a wide outer surface. A portion of the outer surface is configured so that a plane tangent thereto is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mold.
  • the method then includes filling molding material into the mold.
  • the outer surface of the seal may have an undulated surface with projections and recesses that alternately repeat substantially along longitudinal direction and that have heights smaller than the height of the lip.
  • the mold preferably has two or more mold portions and the parting lines between adjacent mold portions are at or near the recesses.
  • Parting lines in a mold for the seal preferably are at or near recesses of the outer surface of the seal.
  • burrs produced at the parting lines do not impair the sealing function or the insertability of the seal.
  • the undulated surface enables the parting lines to be set easily using the recesses.
  • FIG. 1 is a side view partly in section showing a state before a dummy plug of a first embodiment of the invention is inserted into a cavity.
  • FIGS. 2(A) and 2(B) are front view and side view partly in section of the dummy plug.
  • FIG. 3 is a side view showing the dummy plug in the cavity.
  • FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) are a front view and a side view partly in section of a dummy plug according to a second embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a side view partly in section showing a state where the dummy plug is inserted in a cavity.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view partly in section of a waterproof rubber plug according to a third embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing insertion a female terminal and the waterproof rubber plug into a cavity of a female housing.
  • FIG. 8 is a side view in section showing an operation of inserting a male terminal and the waterproof rubber plug into a cavity of a male housing.
  • FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) are a front view and a side view partly in section of a packing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view in section showing a state before a female and a male housings are connected.
  • FIG. 11 is a side view in section showing a state after the connection.
  • FIG. 12 is a side view in section showing a state before a female and a male housings according to a fifth embodiment are connected.
  • FIG. 13 is a side view in section showing a state after the connection.
  • a dummy plug according to a first embodiment of the invention is identified by the numeral 20 in FIGS. 1 to 3 .
  • the dummy plug 20 is used with a housing 10 formed with cavities 11 for receiving terminal fittings (not shown). Each cavity 11 has a substantially round entrance 12 and a beveled guiding surface 13 is formed at the opening edge of the entrance 12 .
  • the dummy plugs 20 are inserted into the entrances 12 of the cavities 11 that will not receive the terminal fittings.
  • Each dummy plug 20 is made of a resilient material such as an oil-impregnated silicone and preferably is formed by injection molding in a mold 40 .
  • the dummy plug 20 has a main body 21 and a large-diameter portion 22 that extends over a wide range at a longitudinal intermediate part of the main body 21 .
  • the large-diameter portion 22 is a stepped cylinder and defines a single wide lip 25 on the outer surface of the main body 21 .
  • the lip 25 is substantially symmetrical along a longitudinal direction LD of the dummy plug 20 .
  • the lip 25 has a longitudinal extension of more than about 1 ⁇ 4, and preferably of more than about 1 ⁇ 3 of the longitudinal extension of the dummy plug 20 .
  • the dummy plug 20 preferably is substantially rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis.
  • the lip 25 is formed over substantially the entire extension of the large-diameter portion 22 and includes an outer surface 26 and inclined surfaces 27 at opposite longitudinal ends of the outer surface 26 .
  • the outer surface 26 is in the longitudinal middle of the large diameter portion 22 and extends for slightly more than one third of the entire extension of the large diameter portion 22 .
  • Outer extremes of the outer surface 26 of the lip 25 define an outer diameter D that exceeds an inner diameter of the entrance 12 of the cavity 11 .
  • a plane tangent to the outer extremes of the outer surface 26 will be substantially parallel with longitudinal direction LD.
  • the inclined surfaces 27 have a moderate inward inclination of less than about 30°, more preferably less than about 20° and most preferably about 15° to the longitudinal direction LD.
  • Projections and recesses having a substantially triangular or pointed cross section are formed at substantially even intervals along the longitudinal direction LD on the outer surface 26 of the lip 25 to define an undulated surface 30 .
  • Each undulation of the undulated surface 30 has a height h that is as low as one third of the height H of the lip 25 .
  • the mold 40 for the dummy plug 20 has a fixed mold 41 with a fixed portion 42 and a middle plate 43 , and a movable mold 44 as schematically shown in FIG. 2(B) .
  • a first parting line PL 1 between the movable mold 44 and the middle plate 43 of the fixed mold 41 is set at a recess 32 A at one end of the undulated surface 30
  • a second parting line PL 2 between the fixed portion 42 and the middle plate 43 in the fixed mold 41 is set at a recess 32 B at the opposite end of the undulated surface 30 .
  • the dummy plug 20 is molded in the closed mold 40 .
  • the movable mold 44 then is separated forward from the fixed mold 41 .
  • the dummy plug 20 is left in a molding hole in the fixed mold 41 .
  • the middle plate 43 then is separated forward from the fixed portion 42 while the dummy plug 20 is held in a molding hole 43 A of the middle plate 43 .
  • the middle plate 43 is rotated substantially normal to the longitudinal direction LD (i.e. normal to the plane of FIG. 2(B) ) in front of the fixing portion 42 .
  • the dummy plug 20 then is ejected from the molding hole 43 A of the middle plate 43 by a kick-out pin or the like.
  • the dummy plug 20 can be inserted into the entrance 12 of the cavity 11 as shown by an arrow of FIG. 1 .
  • the leading inclined surface 27 contacts the opening edge 13 of the entrance 12 to guide and center the dummy plug 20 .
  • the dummy plug 20 then is inserted into the cavity 11 while the outer surface 26 of the single lip 25 is compressed substantially uniformly and resiliently over substantially the entire circumference.
  • the outer surface 26 of the lip 25 of the properly inserted dummy plug 20 closely contacts and seals the inner surface of the entrance 12 of the cavity 11 over substantially the entire circumference, as shown in FIG. 3 , due to the resilient force of the lip 25 .
  • the sealing force and a force for preventing the dummy plug 20 from coming out of the cavity 11 when an inner pressure increases is proportional to a resiliently compressed volume of the outermost part of the lip 25 .
  • the dummy plug 20 has only one lip 25 with a wide outer surface 26 and a fine undulation.
  • a resiliently compressed volume is larger than conventional dummy plugs with three lips. As a result, a larger sealing force and a larger holding force can be obtained.
  • the dummy plug 20 is centered and inserted with the outer surface 26 of the lip 25 substantially uniformly resiliently compressed over substantially the entire circumference.
  • the fine undulated surface 30 preferably is formed in the outer surface 26 of the lip 25 to reduce a contact area between the top surface 26 of the lip 25 and the inner circumferential surface of the cavity 11 , thereby decreasing a frictional resistance.
  • an inserting force for the dummy plug 20 can be reduced.
  • the fine undulated surface 30 in the outer surface 26 of the single lip 25 avoids having projecting ends of the lips successively contact the opening edge of the cavity 11 during insertion of the dummy plug 20 into the cavity 11 . Accordingly, the dummy plug 20 can be inserted smoothly and the lip 25 will not be damaged or torn.
  • the parting lines in the mold 40 for the dummy plug 20 are in the recesses on the outer circumferential surface of the dummy plug 20 . Thus, burrs produced at the parting lines will not affect sealing performance.
  • each undulation 31 is low (preferably less than about 1/20 of the radius of the dummy plug), and there is no possibility of being damaged.
  • the inclined surfaces 27 of the lip 25 are formed substantially symmetrically at the front and rear sides.
  • the dummy plug 20 can be guided and centered by the inclined surfaces 27 and inserted smoothly with a smaller force regardless of which end of the dummy plug 20 is inserted first into the cavity 11 .
  • the inserting operation can be carried out irrespective of the orientation of the dummy plug 20 .
  • a dummy plug 50 according to a second embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 .
  • the dummy plug 50 has a short cylindrical main body 51 with a large diameter corresponding to the large-diameter portion 22 of the main body 21 of the first embodiment.
  • the large-diameter portion 22 has a single lip 25 A with an outer surface 26 A that includes an undulated surface 30 A.
  • the undulated outer surface 30 A includes projections 31 and 31 A.
  • Each projection 31 A is at one of the opposite longitudinal ends and has a longer interval to the adjacent projection 31 than the intervals between other projections 31 .
  • Oblique surfaces 53 of the projections 31 A at the opposite ends extend towards the inner recesses and have about the same moderate inward inclination of less than about 30°, preferably of less than about 20°, and most preferably about 15° to the longitudinal direction LD as the inclined surfaces 27 at the outer sides of the outer surface 26 A.
  • the wide lip 25 A has a longitudinal extension of more than about 1 ⁇ 4, and preferably more than about 1 ⁇ 3 of the longitudinal extension of the dummy plug 50 .
  • the dummy plug 50 is substantially rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis.
  • the projections 31 A at the opposite ends are aligned at a moderate angle that preferably is less than about 30° with respect to the longitudinal direction LD and align with the undulations 30 A in upper surface 26 A of the lip 25 A in the dummy plug 50 .
  • the aligned surfaces 27 and 30 A contact the opening edge of the entrance 12 sequentially and the dummy plug 50 can be inserted smoothly into the cavity 11 with an eased contact force. The realization of a smaller inserting force was confirmed by experiments.
  • a waterproof resilient plug according to a third embodiment of the invention is identified by the numeral 70 in FIGS. 6 to 8 .
  • the waterproof resilient plug 70 is made of a resilient material such as an oil-impregnated silicone and is substantially rotationally symmetric about its longitudinal axis. As shown in FIG. 6 , the plug 70 has a main body 71 with a center hole 72 through which a wire W is introduced and an inner lip 73 is formed around the center hole 72 .
  • a thinner mounting tube 74 projects from one edge of the center hole 72 , and a retaining projection 75 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of a projecting end of the mounting tube 74 .
  • a wide single lip 76 is formed on the outer surface of the main body 71 , and extends over substantially the entire extension.
  • a moderately inclined surface 77 tapers in at an end of the lip 76 towards the mounting tube 74 .
  • the wide lip 76 has a longitudinal extension of more than about 1 ⁇ 4, preferably more than about 1 ⁇ 3, and most preferably more than about half of the longitudinal extension of the main body 71 .
  • an undulated surface 78 having a short radial projecting distance is formed in the outer surface of the lip 76 .
  • the waterproof rubber plug 70 is mounted on an end of a wire W, and an insulation barrel 64 of a female terminal 63 F then is crimped, bent or folded into connection with the outer circumferential surface of the mounting tube 74 , as shown in FIG. 7 .
  • the waterproof rubber plug 70 is secured to the end of the wire W together with and behind the female terminal 63 F.
  • the female terminal 63 F is inserted from behind into a cavity 61 F in a female housing 60 F, and the waterproof rubber plug 70 is inserted into an entrance 62 F of the cavity 61 F at a final stage of the inserting operation.
  • the inclined surface 77 contacts the opening edge of the entrance 62 F to center the waterproof rubber plug 70 and to guide the plug 70 into the cavity 61 F.
  • the radially outer surface of the single lip 76 is compressed uniformly over the entire circumference.
  • a sealing force is proportional to a resiliently compressed volume of the outer part of the lip 76 .
  • a resiliently compressed volume of the entire outer part is larger than conventional general waterproof rubber plugs formed with three lips although the radially outer surface is formed with the fine undulation. As a result, a larger sealing force can be obtained.
  • the waterproof rubber plug 70 is centered during insertion into the cavity 61 F.
  • the outer surface of the lip 76 is compressed uniformly resiliently over the entire circumference.
  • the fine undulated surface 78 in the outer surface of the lip 76 reduces a contact area between the outer surface of the lip 76 and the inner circumferential surface of the cavity 61 F to decrease frictional resistance.
  • an inserting force for the waterproof rubber plug 70 can be reduced to be smaller.
  • the waterproof rubber plug 70 is secured to an end of a wire W together with and behind a male terminal 63 M.
  • the plug 70 then is inserted into an entrance 62 M of a cavity 61 M of a male housing 60 M to seal the cavity 61 M as the male terminal 63 M is inserted into the cavity 61 M.
  • the same functions and effects as in the case of being used in the female side can be obtained.
  • a packing according to a fourth embodiment of the invention is identified by the numeral 80 in FIGS. 9 to 11 .
  • the packing 80 provides sealing between female and male housings 60 F, 60 M. More particularly, the female housing 60 F has a tower 65 formed with cavities 61 F, and the packing 80 is fit on the outer circumferential surface of the tower 65 . Thus, the packing 80 can be squeezed between the outer surface of the tower 65 and the inner surface of a receptacle 66 of the mating male housing 60 M.
  • the packing 80 is made of a resilient material such as an oil-impregnated silicone and, as shown in FIG. 9(A) , includes a ring-shaped main body 81 that defines a wide rectangle in front view.
  • the packing 80 is symmetrically shaped along longitudinal direction LD.
  • An inner lip 82 is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the main body 81 .
  • a wide single lip 84 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the main body 81 and inclined surfaces 85 are formed at opposite ends.
  • the inclined surfaces 85 taper in at moderate angles of less than about 30°, preferably of less than about 20° and most preferably about 15° to the longitudinal direction LD are formed at the opposite sides.
  • the wide lip 84 has a longitudinal extension of more than about 1 ⁇ 4, preferably of more than about 1 ⁇ 3 and most preferably more than about half of the longitudinal extension of the main body 81 .
  • An undulated surface 86 having a short radial projecting distance is formed in the outer surface of the lip 84 .
  • the packing 80 is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the tower 65 of the female housing 60 F and then the female and male housings 60 F, 60 M are connected.
  • the packing 80 is inserted into a space defined by the inner circumferential surface of the projecting end of the receptacle 66 of the male housing 60 M during a final stage of the connecting operation.
  • the inclined surface 85 at the front end with respect to an inserting direction contacts the opening edge of the projecting end of the receptacle 66 to center the packing 80 .
  • the outer surface of the single lip 84 is compressed uniformly over substantially the entire circumference as the packing 80 is inserted into the receptacle 66 .
  • the packing 80 is squeezed resiliently over substantially the entire circumference between the inner surface of the receptacle 66 and the outer surface of the tower 65 when the two housings 60 F, 60 M are connected properly as shown in FIG. 11 to provide sealing between the two housings 60 F, 60 M.
  • the packing 80 is formed with only one lip 84 having the wide top outer surface.
  • a resiliently compressed volume is large and a large sealing force can be obtained.
  • the inclined surface 85 centers the packing 80 during insertion into the receptacle 66 , and the outer surface of the lip 84 is compressed uniformly over substantially the entire circumference.
  • the fine undulated surface 86 in the outer surface of the lip 84 reduces a contact area between the outer surface of the lip 84 and the inner circumferential surface of the receptacle 66 , thereby decreasing a frictional resistance.
  • an inserting force for the packing 80 is smaller and, in its turn, a connecting force for the female and male housings 60 F, 60 M is smaller.
  • the parting lines can be set in the recesses of the undulated surface 86 and damage is unlikely due to the short height of the undulation even if an undercut or overhanging shape is formed.
  • the inclined surfaces 85 of the lip 84 are substantially symmetrical at the front and rear ends.
  • the packing 80 can be inserted into the mating receptacle 66 with a smaller force due to the inclined surface 85 , and the female and male housings 60 F, 60 M can be connected with a smaller force regardless of whether the front or rear side of the packing 80 is mounted first on the outer surface of the tower 65 .
  • the packing 80 can be mounted on the tower 65 irrespective of the orientation thereof.
  • the packing 80 of the fourth embodiment is applicable if the male housing 68 M is on a side surface of an apparatus as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 instead of being provided at an end of a wiring harness, i.e. the male housing 60 M is of the type directly connected with the apparatus such as a junction box. Even in such a case, similar functions and effects can be obtained.
  • the parting lines of the mold may be at intermediate positions of oblique surfaces extending from the projections towards the recesses of the undulated surface instead of being at the bottom of the undulated surface.
  • Inclined surfaces need not be at both ends the lip on the dummy plug and the packing. Rather, it is sufficient to provide the inclined surface at the front side with respect to the inserting direction if the inserting orientation of the dummy plug into the cavity is determined. Further, it is sufficient to provide the inclined surface at the side of the packing facing the receptacle if the end to be opposed to the receptacle is determined.
  • the outer surface of the lip may be smooth with no undulations. Even with such a construction, there can be obtained effects of larger sealing forces in the cavity and the receptacle and smooth insertion into the cavity and the receptacle. Thus, a smooth outer surface is embraced by the invention.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Geometry (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Gasket Seals (AREA)
US11/096,100 2004-04-02 2005-03-31 Sealing member for watertight connector and a molding method therefor Active 2025-12-07 US7338320B2 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2004-109831 2004-02-04
JP2004109831A JP4200930B2 (ja) 2004-04-02 2004-04-02 防水コネクタ用シール部材

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US20050179209A1 US20050179209A1 (en) 2005-08-18
US7338320B2 true US7338320B2 (en) 2008-03-04

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US (1) US7338320B2 (ja)
EP (1) EP1583184B1 (ja)
JP (1) JP4200930B2 (ja)
CN (1) CN100468879C (ja)
DE (1) DE602005006459D1 (ja)

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US20120272501A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2012-11-01 Schaefer Werkzeug- und Sondermaschinenau GmbH Bush fitting machine
US20170346218A1 (en) * 2014-12-15 2017-11-30 Erni Production Gmbh & Co. Kg Hermetically sealing connector
US9929506B2 (en) * 2016-01-29 2018-03-27 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US9948025B2 (en) * 2016-01-29 2018-04-17 Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd. Connector
US10693254B2 (en) * 2018-05-21 2020-06-23 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Dummy pin

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JP4512626B2 (ja) * 2007-09-28 2010-07-28 日立オートモティブシステムズ株式会社 車載電子機器
JP5614793B2 (ja) * 2008-12-12 2014-10-29 矢崎総業株式会社 パッキンの誤組付け防止構造
JP5417954B2 (ja) * 2009-04-09 2014-02-19 住友電装株式会社 防水コネクタ
CN101813257B (zh) * 2010-04-07 2014-08-27 海洋王照明科技股份有限公司 一种照明装置
JP5471947B2 (ja) * 2010-08-02 2014-04-16 住友電装株式会社 ゴム栓およびダミー栓
US8485834B2 (en) * 2011-05-12 2013-07-16 International Business Machines Corporation Mitigating electromagnetic interference using dummy plugs
JP5741861B2 (ja) * 2012-01-31 2015-07-01 アイコム株式会社 電子機器の電極構造および携帯電子機器
JP6134303B2 (ja) * 2014-10-07 2017-05-24 矢崎総業株式会社 防水栓
JP6837572B2 (ja) * 2017-11-10 2021-03-03 Nok株式会社 ガスケット
US11283211B2 (en) * 2018-05-18 2022-03-22 Yazaki North America, Inc. Electrical connector assembly with plug and cavity assembly and method of ultrasonically welding
CN111065011A (zh) * 2018-10-16 2020-04-24 北京小米移动软件有限公司 密封部件、密封结构及终端设备
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JP2021111509A (ja) * 2020-01-10 2021-08-02 川崎重工業株式会社 気密端子、及びそれを備えるタンクバルブ装置
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CN100468879C (zh) 2009-03-11
US20050179209A1 (en) 2005-08-18
JP4200930B2 (ja) 2008-12-24
JP2005294146A (ja) 2005-10-20
EP1583184A1 (en) 2005-10-05
EP1583184B1 (en) 2008-05-07
CN1677756A (zh) 2005-10-05
DE602005006459D1 (de) 2008-06-19

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